Taxon Report

Calochortus westonii Eastw.

Shirley Meadows star-tulip

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Taxon Summary

Calochortus westonii, commonly known as Shirley Meadows star-tulip, is a perennial bulbiferous herb in the Liliaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Broadleafed upland forest, Lower montane coniferous forest, and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 1500 to 2105 meters. Calochortus westonii is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Calochortus westonii Eastw.
Common Name:	Shirley Meadows star-tulip
Family:	Liliaceae
Element Code:	PMLIL0D1M0
USDA Plants Symbol:	CAWE2
Synonyms/Other Names:	Calochortus coeruleus (Kell.) Wats. var. westonii (Eastw.) Ownbey

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial bulbiferous herb
Blooming Period: May-Jun	May-Jun
Elevation:	1500-2105 (4920-6905)
General Habitats:	Broadleafed upland forest, Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:	Granitic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G3
State Rank:	S3
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_UCSC; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	24
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	7
Good (B)	12
Fair (C)	2
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN), Tulare (TUL)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Alta Sierra (3511865), Camp Nelson (3611825), Camp Wishon (3611826), Case Mountain (3611847), Johnsondale (3511885), Sentinel Peak (3611815), Tobias Peak (3511875)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	11
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	14	58 %
Logging	9	37%
Improper burning regime	5	20%
Grazing	3	12%
Other	3	12%
Road/trail construction/maint.	2	8%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	4%
Over-collecting/poaching	1	4%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	4%
ORV activity	1	4%
Development	1	4%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	4%

Notes



Threatened by logging, road construction, and vehicles. Sequoia NF has adopted species management guidelines. See Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences IV 20:136 (1931) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 March 2025].